Friday, December 17, 2021

[EXCLUSIVE] Raising Cane's Will Finally Open in Metro Atlanta

"Caniacs" rejoice! Atlanta is one step closer to welcoming Raising Cane's! ToNeTo Atlanta has learned that Raising Cane's has secured a site in Buford for what will likely be its first restaurant in metro Atlanta.  Multiple real estate sources, including one with direct knowledge of the transaction, tell ToNeTo Atlanta that Raising Cane's will replace Arby's at 3300 Buford Drive, across the street from the Mall of Georgia.  Raising Cane's intends to demolish the existing building and erect their latest prototype restaurant in its place.  The freestanding Arby's has been in business since 2001. 

Gwinnett County tax records indicate that the roughly 3,350 square foot restaurant and its roughly one acre lot sold in 2005 for $2.875 million and were acquired this past June for $2.25 million by "J&R MOG, LLC."  

University of Georgia graduate Todd Graves, along with his business partner Craig Silvey, opened the first Raising Cane's in Baton Rouge near the LSU campus in 1996.  Graves, who worked for Guthrie's (which proudly claims to be America's Original Chicken Finger Restaurant) while in school in Athens, would later return to the Classic City in 2006 when he opened a new Raising Cane's on land that had been home to Guthrie's from 1984 until its closure in 2004.  

Today, there are more than 500 Raising Cane's locations worldwide, but currently just the one Georgia location in Athens.  

For those unfamiliar, the Raising Cane's menu, inspired by the early success of Guthrie's, is incredibly simple, with offerings including chicken tenders, Texas Toast, crinkle-cut fries, coleslaw, drinks, sauces, and not a whole lot else.  What some might consider a weakness (a limited, largely unhealthy menu) has turned into a strength for the chain as the limited menu allows it to be incredibly efficient...and profitable.  

Data released in October indicates that Raising Cane's restaurants produce a $3.85 million AUV (average unit volume), good for second overall among QSR peers with Atlanta's Chick-fil-A once again taking the top spot with an AUV just over $5 million.  Zaxby's, whose founders were also inspired by the success of Guthrie's and who had a six-year head start on Raising Cane's, opening in Statesboro in 1990, operate about 100 more locations than their rival, but generate a mere $2.2 million AUV.  

Raising Cane's made headlines in October when the company announced it was enlisting hundreds of corporate employees to assist as "fry cooks and cashiers" at its restaurants.  

It's unclear when exactly the Buford location will open but an October 25 response on Facebook from Raising Cane's to a request to open locations in Atlanta ---

"We're super excited to inform you that we're coming to Atlanta in 2023! We can't wait to serve our ATL Caniacs! See ya soon!"

 --- suggests that the restaurant should be open no later than 2023...but hopefully sooner! 

Raising Cane's has been scouting the greater metro Atlanta area for more than a year in hopes of securing several sites for new restaurants.  It's still believed that additional units are planned, but given how competitive well-located, drive-thru enabled or capable locations are right now, it may take longer than anyone would like to like to secure more sites.  

Are you excited for the upcoming metro Atlanta debut of Raising Cane's?  Where is your favorite place to get chicken tenders currently?  Where in metro Atlanta would you like Raising Cane's to open?

Please share your thoughts below.  

27 comments:

Anonymous said...

Of course it's unhealthy, it's chicken fingers and fries. They are very good though, I have lunched there quite a few times when I worked in Mississippi. I actually prefer them to CFA. Raising Cane doesn't oversalt like CFA

Anonymous said...

Came out of The Woods and passed through Athens on the way back to Atlanta a while back. Had read about them shortly before, realized they had an Athens location. Most excellent.

But, Not interested in going to anywhere near the MOG.

Will continue to stop by the Athens location . . . When I come out of The Woods . . .

jc said...

The new one in Oakwood Ga is busy. Looking forward to trying it out when I have the time to wait in line.

Anonymous said...

Happy to see this chain open in Atlanta. Have visited locations in Mississippi and always received excellent service and great food.

Hopefully they will add additional locations in the next future.


Zaxby's service and food quality has gone down hill.

Unknown said...

That’s not Canes.

Unknown said...

Here are some suggestions for locations — Peachtree Center Downtown Atlanta, Peachtree Street somewhere, Cobb Parkway somewhere, somewhere near Georgia Tech (People can go there before and after the game.), near Braves Stadium in Cobb County, Camp Creek Market Place area, Northside Drive near Fourteenth Street, near Fayetteville Pavillion, and Douglasville.

Unknown said...

In the Stonecrest area, pleaseeee. Plenty of empty space ...

Nana said...

I drive all the way to Athens for Canes. I would consider working at the new Canes in Buford.

Anonymous said...

I am super excited! We drive to Athens to get Canes. My kids are more excited than I am!

Anonymous said...

We do the same

Anonymous said...

I ate at my first Raising Cane’s in Wasilla, Alaska. It sure would be nice to have on in Carrollton, Georgia.

Anonymous said...

👍👍

Anonymous said...

Canes is trash. MSG saturated chicken, flour and fries. That’s why it “tastes” good. MSG is a toxin for the brain that makes you crave things. The food is deep fried in dangerous oil that makes you obese. Perfect for that area!

Anonymous said...

Snellville, GA

Anonymous said...

Buford GA is not Atlanta.

Anonymous said...

I’m originally from Louisiana and I’ve live in Atlanta for 13 years. I would love for a Cane’s to be put in the Lawrenceville are. I think downtown Snellville or Senic hwy would be perfect! Canes is the most fresh chicken tenders I’ve ever had. Can’t wait for the new location to open in Buford.

Anonymous said...

Wow we are finally getting Raising Cane’s in the ATL SO HAPPY ❤️❤️They are so Good

Anonymous said...

SNELLVILLE , Lawrenville are both great location. Raisen Cane’s chicken is so good- Can’t wait

Anonymous said...

I doubt this entire article. Todd Graves was born in New Orleans, went to high school in Baton Rouge, and graduated from LSU. Geaux Tigers!!!

Anonymous said...

So so so grateful and excited! No more driving almost an hour to the Athens location.

Anonymous said...

Lol that’s Huey Magoo’s lol

Anonymous said...

There need to be one in Cumming ,Ga . There food is so good

Anonymous said...

Hiram, Acworth and Kennesaw are near me! Need one or some here!

Anonymous said...

Please build one in Peachtree , GA or Newnan, GA

Anonymous said...

It said metro Atlanta which Buford is.

Anonymous said...

Then don’t go! More for us!!

Anonymous said...

We love Raising Canes…we drive from Jefferson to Athens, Ga to get it. Please consider opening one in Jefferson, Ga. There is an open lot for sale on right next to Arby’s…a SUPER LOCATION!!!

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